Thread: Bigger Diameter Tyres and Fuel Consumption

Several months ago I changed from the standard fitment 255/55/18" rims and tyres and fitted 16" rims with 265/70 Bridgestone All Terrains on my D2a V8. Over that time and about 6000 km's I kept an eye on fuel consumption and I have found some interesting results, that being I am getting on average about 30 to 40 kms extra distance per tank.

Most of the k's driven have been highway and at about 0 to 10 k's over the speed limit. This seems to go against everything I have read about bigger tyres reducing fuel consumption.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

cheers,
Terry

Hi Ean,

no I just had them fitted and to date everything seems to work fine and power loss has not been an issue. Not sure how that would go with Muds though rather then All Terrains.

I have not gone to far off road with them but when I did go down the back paddock through a wash out to see what they were like I managed to destroy my front bumper when trying to get over a step and failing, so rubbing through articulation hasn't so far proved to be a problem to date but ground clearance has which is no fault of the tyre just the dumbarse pilot trying to go places he shouldn't have.

That will teach me to try and take a standard D2a with a bit taller All Terrains fitted where my mountain goat D1 can go without a fuss. Now I'll have to buy a front bloody bar! I always intended to give the D2a a 2" lift at some stage soon so I don't see any problems with rubbing with that size tyre but others on here would know better then I if there is a problem.

I like the ride with 16's with taller tyres on road much better even though they are L/T construction then the 18's with low profile tyres, even if it doesn't go round corners quite as well.

And I agree with Slunnie around town the fuel consumption is worse but on the highway where I do most of my driving its definately better.

cheers,
Terry